-----Original Message-----
From: B.J. Smothers <smothers(a)mindspring.com>
Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 11:37 AM
Subject: [USGenWeb-SE-L] Re: The Current State of Affairs
At 07:02 AM 1/21/99 EST, you wrote:
>I despair that the problem may be beyond fixing now, but I would still
like to
>see The USGenWeb Project get back on track.
<SNIP>
>I wholeheartedly support the idea of a state getting its own domain and
would
>be happy to join in a discussion of how this might be
accomplished.
>
----------------------
John,
I've been following this discussion with interest here and on the -ALL
list.
My concern started some months back when I woke up and noticed how the
states, CC's and special projects were following like lemmings to
centralize operations on Rootsweb's servers. Even without any other issues
this concerned me because each time Rootsweb went down, half of USGenWeb
went offline.
But more troubling was that even as Rootsweb stepped up efforts to court
these new users, it's "complaints" about the costs of serving them
increased. It doesn't take much imagination nor machiavellian intent to see
and point out that if user contributions don't cover the costs that some
commercial venture would have to produce revenue. Even the most
high-minded, dedicated genealogists can't operate in the red indefinitely.
And Mr./Mrs. Rootsweb seem to be going to extraordinary lengths to keep
things afloat -- I mean, taking out a second on their house!! So I wasn't
the least surprised when Teresa posted on the -ALL list that there'd been
discussion among SCs and Brian about the possibility of putting advertising
on its user pages. And Brian was pretty disingenuous to holler foul. If
USGenWeb's growth continues at the same pace, and contributions don't rise,
then the Rootswebbers are gonna have to raise the money somewhere!
A related concern is about who owns/controls the usgenweb domains. I sent a
private note to a board member last month when I checked InterNic and saw
who registered each of the domain names. I asked who paid for this since
USGenWeb isn't an organization and has no funds and who would pay for the
renewal registrations. I aked her what would happen if there were a dispute
between USGenWeb and Rootsweb and the individuals who technically own the
domain names. I was truly disturbed that she was unfazed by the situation
and instead talked about not upsetting the apple cart or biting the hand
that feeds! Scary!
So John, if all the states followed TNGenWeb's example and registered their
own domain names and moved to other servers, what WOULD happen to the
usgenweb names?
I've never had any of my three counties or my AA Census and Cemetery
projects on Rootsweb. I have my own domain and happily pay for all my
services as well as having free space on Xoom, Tripod and GeoCities
although I don't use these for genealogy projects because of those annoying
ads (Xoom is the best among the worst in this regard). I wholeheartedly
agree that for its long-term health and viability the USGenWeb project
should be spread across other servers. When I came on board back in August
1996 it was my understanding then that the "project" was a loose
confederation of state projects. Much has changed since then, not
necessarily for the better.
All of us CCs ought to take a closer look at what's going on at the project
both internally and our relationship with Rootsweb. BTW, I am a Rootsweb
sponsor, and generally applaud what Brian etal have done for the
genealogical community.
Signing off,
B.J. Smothers
==========================================
"A proud sponsor of The Millenium Project:
People working together to build an online
database of African American genealogical
material for the 21st century"
==========================================
The ALGenWeb Project:
http://www.prairiebluff.com/algenweb/dallas
http://www.prairiebluff.com/algenweb/marengo
http://www.prairiebluff.com/algenweb/wilcox
AA Census Schedules Online:
http://www.prairiebluff.com/aacensus
AA Cemeteries Online:
http://www.prairiebluff.com/millenium/aacemetery
Family Genealogy:
http://www.prairiebluff.com/roots
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